Vulcanizing apparatus



June 2-, 1931. H. A. DENMIRE VULCANIZING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 9. 1927 s sneets spg t' gjl;

INVENTOR B M QM Ma -1 M" ATTORNEYS '3;

a M v 4 7 ;2 Il 24 26 W 21 22 June 2, 1931 H. A. DENMIRE 1,808,711

VULCANI Z ING APPARATUS INYENTOR v 2.

ATTORNEY 5 June 2, 1931. H. A. DENMIRE VULCANIZING APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 9, 1927 3 Shegts-Sheet 5 I z 9 \H 8 r I10 I W 2 j RI M i 1 a ma m N V E W m w A 1 I v F Y all/202271747 2:

i larl Origin-a1 application filed iqovemherb;

can be quickly Patented June 2, 1931 HAROLD A. DENMIRE or AKRON,

COMPANY, 01* name-N, OHIO,

01110,- ASSIGNOER.

TO THE GENERAL, TIRE &

A oon PoRA'r oN on OHIO vonoAmz no APPARATUS This invention relates to vulcaniz'in g appja ra tu s of the't ype in which the-articles to be Vulcanized are confined in a' plurality of inol'dsarralnged in. a pack and more particuy to the. mounting 0f the'in'ol'ds for selective opening and closing, so that themolds and easily discharged and recharged, the present invention being a division of my cop'ending application Serial N 0. 233,597, 'filed N 0V. 9, 1927.

Although the invention is of quitegeneral application, it is of particiilar utility in connection with the vu'lcanizing of pneumatic tire casings, inner tubes, tirebeadsj and the like. However, "it will be obvious that the -inventi'on may be used for other purposes.

The present invention has for'an object to .cated at 4: 4: in l ig. 3. .v y

view showing the locking provide heater unit which may be "operated economically, independently I bf other units and further to provide aheaiter unit consisting of a pluralityo'f molds which can be installed and operated at a relatively low cost, which requires a small amount of floor space. I Afurther object isto provide a vulcanizing heater consisting of ap'lura lity of molds com posed of hinged sections ad'aptedto fold into apack and provided with suitable-actuating means which the individual moldsmay be opened at a pointconvenient to an operator operators standing alongside theheater unit, so thatthe operators' are enabled to quickly remove vuloanijzedf'articles from the molds and replace ithe same with unvu'l'canize'd articles. a I

A further object is to-provide 'a vulcanizi'ng heater consisting 'o'f separately 'li'eated moldnnits composed of sections hingedto each other and to sections of adjacent mold units and to provide actuating means for se lectively opening the mold units sothat' one mold unit may be discharged and recharged while. articles are being vulcanized in other mold units. I h I A fiirth'r object is to provide means for applyin pressure to the moldsytogetherwith independent locking means for each -n1o'ld, so that any selected mold may be unlocked and opened independently of the others. i With the abovezandother dbjects'in view,

the invention may be said to comprisethe 1927, Serial No. 220, 1920. Serial No. 422,074.

, thereof.

RUBBER 233,597Q Div1'dedand,this application filedJ'a'nuaiy vulcanizing heater as illustrated in the accompanying drawings hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended modifications thereof as" will be apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention a-ppertains. Reference should be had to the accompany ing drawings forming a cation in which: g V

Figure l'is aplan view ofappazratus em bodying theinvention;

'Fig. "2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig.1. f V f j Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a mold unit with one of the hinge connections shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line indi- Fig. 5 is a detail ring carried on one: section of a mold unit I and the wedge lookinglugs 011 the other section.

Fig. 6 is 'a section'ta'lren ontheline indi bated at 6-6 in Fig. 5.

bead rings. U i p Fig. Sisaside elevation of one of themolds shown in Fig. 7.... I Fig. 9 is a section takenon theline indi cated ,at.9 9 in Fig.8.- g

i Fig. 10 is an, end elevation of the mold sh'ciwninFigzS. I Referri g first to Figs. 1 .to 6., in which the invention is shown'applied to molds of claims, together with such variations and 4 part of this speoifi- N the watch case heatertype, the apparatus is supported on; "a frame' consisting of a horizonta'l'supporting base or platform 1 having standards 2 and 3 at -Opposite ends 7 Mounted on the standard 3, thereis a horizontallydisposed flui-dpressure cylinder {from which projects a, piston rod 5 carrying. a head 6 which is movable toward and away- "fromthe standard 2. A series of molds 7 are mounted be'tweenthe head 6' and the standard 2 and each of thesemolds Consists of 'complemental se'ctionsfS and 9w'hich are connected by hinges @10. 'The adjacent molds are connected by hinges 11 diametrically opposite the rhinges'lO so thatamol'd may Fig. 7. is plan view o fapparatusembodving the lIlK TGIItlOII designed: for vulcanizing' V be opened upon movement of the head 6 with respect to I the standard 2.

pack is conn'ected by a one end ofthe pack supported on the platform 1 between the head 6and the standard 2 is connected by a hinge 12 to the 'head 6 1 and the mold at the opposite end of the hinge 13 to the standard ,2. i

V f The section 8 of eachmold has wedge lugs I has an inner flange V section from the other.

on the mold section 14 projecting laterally therefrom at spaced points along the periphery and the section 9 of each mold carries a locking ring 15 which 16 which fits in a periph eral groove on the mold section 9. f The ring 15 surrounds the mold section-9 and projects inwardly past the inner face of .the section and has inwardly projecting wedge lugs 18, which are adapted, in one position of the ring, to enter between the lugs 14 of the section 18 and, when the ring 15 is rotated engagement with the lugs 14,. to tightly clamp the mold sections'together, the ring 15, being provided with ahandle 19 by whichit may be turned into locking engagement with the lugs 14 or into a position to release onev mold The head 61s1novable from the position shownin Fig.1 to a position in which the mold pack is clamped molds are provided that they are between the head 6 and the standard 2. The with caster wheels 20 so readily movable along the plate 7 form 1 and if one of the molds has its ring 15 moved to a position where'the lugs 18:0f the ringare disengaged mold, this mold will be the section 68 of the broken open when the head 6 is drawn toward the cylinder 4 so that an operator alongside a cured tire from I an unvulcaniz ed tire in the mold. Operation of the hydraulic cylin the platform may remove the mold and insert denmay be suitably interlocked with the clamping rings15 by suitable electricalcontact elements to prevent operation of the piston excep't when oneof the locking rings is released. I i

As best shown in Fig.3 of the drawings, each mold section has an annular channel shaped body portion 21, the channels of the sections of a moldfacing toward each other.

Secured'upon the inner sides ofeach of the sections and extending across the channel,

there is a concave metal plate 22 forming one drain port 25 adjacent the bottom of the. mold. I

preferably provided upon-the interior thereforming the inner half of the tire. receiving recess and also wall of an annular steam the two mold sections are the plates 22 of. the mold together and form hejacket 23. When secured together, sections are clamped tween them the annularrecesses in which the tire is; held during the vulcanizing process. Each of the steam jackets 23 has a steam inlet port 24 adjacent the top of the mold and A tire casing 26 within themold is The mold at 9, to come into wedging pair being joined bya pintle-composed o from the lugs 14 of of with an air bag 27 which has a single valve stem if air is used as an inflating medium or, in the preferred form, has valve stems 28 and 29 projecting through the wall of the mold into the center opening thereof for circulating hot water through The valve stems 281 the air bag under vulcamzing pressure.

"and 29 are adapted to. receive coupling members'30 and "31- carried by flexibleitubes. 32 V and 33, which lead through suitable control valves 94 to inlet and drain pipes 95 and 96.

.During the'vulcani'zing process, hot water or other fluidunder inflating pressureis supplied to the air bags through the" hose 33, and drained therefrom by hose 32; Prior to the removal of the vulcanized casing mold, the supply of'hot water isinterrupted and cooling water is circulated through the air bag through the flexible tubes 32; and 3,3,

to chill thefvulcanized tire casing beforeit...

is removed from the mold. The control valve 34 is then turned to admit air under pressure from pipes 50 and 50a-to tube 32. This removes water inflatingpressure in the air bagis thenireleased by turning valve of the mold sections Each of the hinges consists of two pairs of lugs 39' and 40inter connected mold sections, each p gral with the an outer. packing sleeve 41 and a pin 1 42 within the sleeve, the upper and lower pintles of the hingebeing in axial alinement." Each pin 42 has a bore 43 extending from one end,

the open end of, the borebeing closed by a V plug 44 to provide a chamber within the pintle. Ports 45 open laterally .fromthe bore 43 of the pin into-passages mule lugs 39 and 40. Cored passages 47 in the'upper portion of each mold section leadfrom the ports 45 and 46 of the upper pintle. of each inge and these passagescommunicate with thesteam inlet ports 24 of the steam jackets.

[Cored passages 48 formed in'Ythe lower portion of each mold section communicate with; the ports 45 and 46 of the-lower ,pintles' an d.

these passages communicate with the drain ports25 ofthe steam ackets. and 36 carried byeach mold section are joined to the correspondingp pesof adjacent mold sections through the hinge couplings 49,

which are positioned in axial alinernent with the pintleslof the hinges connecting-the sections; Each mold section carries a-tr'ansversely extending pipe 50 and lead pipes50a through whichair is supplied to the valve 34 l lengths of hose 32v through which the air is supplied tofithe air and by it to the short bag. The air pipes 50 ofadjacent sections are connected byhinge couplings 51 which are also in axial alinement with the hinges? .A hot water connecting the mold sections; inletpipe .52and a water outlet'pipe 53are connected to thehinge coupling 49 which is alined with the from the air bag; The

hinge connecting the endfrom the V The pipesj35 1 nectedito the valve stems V ba-gand the valve 34is turned; togcirculata coolingmater through th as the casing is 1 sufficiently 7 cool-,; the Water supply is cutoff, airis-admitted to-drive the cooling -watenout of the air bag and 'out of discharge port 37. "Pressure 4 on I the air bag .1 isthen released, .the ring; 15 0f: the mold is moved-1 to; releasing position and" the: mold; is broken open byshifting themovable head; 6; g The cured tireis then removed :fromtheQmold: and; replaced withan; uncured; tire. The, moldrwill thenhegagainclosed and docked in V mosta mold: section the; standa-rd-, 2, A steam outlet pipe at is connected tO.13h B;-il1'ppc1 lugAO integral- Withthe standardfl .andiiforming} a; part'o-f [the-hinge connection: between thezendmostmoldsectionand the standard 2. An air inlet;5,5 is connected through the ;end.- most; hingev51 with theain pipes onithe mold sections andza drainapipe 56 is-connected to theqlower lug dt) of'jthe hinge connecting the endmost; mold.- section, to thest-andard* 2-.

Means; is preferably provided? 'for' admitting Water; steam c or air and; for draining; the Water from either'endaof-the pack-ofzmolds and; connections corresponding to theQcon, nectionswiihthe pipes 52, 53 .54, 55,1 and156 are madawith Water inlet; and outlet-pipes 57. and'358 aisteam lDIEtITPlPB 5.9,? an: aiivinlet pipe 60 and a drain pipe 61 at the hingefbfe tween the; endw mold; section}. andimovable head fia Thecpipes.-5;7, ,58,- 5,9, 60 and 6l-move with; the .head 6-and have; telescopic con'neci tion withrzpi-pes 62 63; 6.4 65 and .66, which are secured-ito the standard :3 isothat Connection is: maintained betwcenrthe; pipes .57, 5.8, 59, 60;.61 and the pipese62;.and63; 64,65 and 466; regardlessrofithepositionof the head; 61

In theoperation-of the vulc-anizing apparatus; assuming that themolds are} all empty and thatt'it: is; desired :tocharge the same With uncured .tires the: .locking ringlg ofrone' of the; end :Jnolds ismoved to releasin g posit-ien and the headf6 is drawn back tQWflIYdqg-th'G; cylinder- 5, breaking open this mold. An; un

vulcanized tire casingwith anzairabag therein is: then placed in the; section, of the'mold to which the air; hose .7 is attached: and the air: hose is: coupledato one of:thez;val.vevstemsa of the air bag. The-headfi 'is: then; moved; by

means of the-cylinder 4: towardzthestandard 2- tow swing the mold to; a closed position;-

whereupon the; ring :15 is v moved: toaylock'ine;

position. Steam is ma-intainedmin the steam' j whens-2:301?.themolds.; The locking ring115 ofythe ;-=118Xl'z1 adj acenttmoldgis then; moved? t-o: releasingy position and; they head}; 6. again, moved; to! open the: second:% mold which is charged; andi closed, in tllGgSEl-IDG fmannerg as; the firsti IlflOld:v This .operation; is;- repeated; untilzthe forthe vulcanizationof the tire casing. in; the: first mold, thewatcr ,llIlBSfiQgflIld 331are con: 98 and 29: of the air desired number of: molds have been 1 charged, Aftensufiicient time;hasgelapsed e air bag; Assoon} the art.

IQSQ tPQS i H-and; theisecond, mold openedg this procedure b 'eing ;repeated .untilalloffthe molds havebeen emptied andmecharg-edfl Figs-7 to j 10 of-th'e drawingsrshowtheinventioncapplied to, apparatus for vulcanizing bead rings for pneumatic tire .casingsiand in this modification, themolds are supported upon; a; frame having ahorizontal base or ard 7 3 carries a fluid pressure/"cylinder; 74 fromuwhich ,eXtends a-piston-rod 7'5 provided in amanner similarto themolds in the modig platformj7land fixed standards 72;,and 73 at opposite-endsof-theplatform Thestandhas; rlng receiving channels 7 9 in the side-face hollow to provide an annular steam chainher; 80;: hinges 81, successive hinges. being diametri The molds; 7.7 are; connectedyby thereof. The annular mold frames, are each callv opposite each other-and each hinge preferably 'carrie's; a=division plate 82 which closes theyring -receiving channels of the moldst. on opposite sides thereof; Steamds admitted to the steam chamber-s80 throughinlet pipe 83 and 1 steam, is carried from the 1 chamber of one: mold ,to the chamber-of the next-adjacentnrold, throu-ghvcoredipas sages 84 communicating througlmthe hinges of the molds, as in the modification ahoveidee scribed;

iniconnectionwith liig.v 1'; and; Fig; 2 of the The-looks 851 releasablyrconnect drawings.

With the adjacentamoldsx The! each mold locks 85'may eitherbeipositionedon one side they. maybe mounted on each sideas: shown The locks only ofthe-mold 'groupor;

are-released for the'molds that are to be} opened and'the molds are opened and closed by the moving piston head -76 substantial1v;

as:1n the modification shown in Fig. lfto Figr L V 6. If; hmvever, are intended to then thellocks 85 may be dispensed With. The heater the entiregroup of molds be simultaneously opened;

previously described oper" ated' in substantially the same manner as the heater shown in Fig. 1 of the. drawings 8X; cept that an operatoris stationed on'each v side, of the unit for removing" vulcanized] heads and replacing, them with .unvulcanize l I" heads... p

Theutility ofithemold'heaters herein described willbe apparenttoathoseaskilled in:

The heaters areinexpensive. to con-- struct; they; can be operated: by aminiinunik numberwf; a tend nts W hg a ly cre ed:

' for supplying steam to saidchambers 1ncludproduction rate and are otherwise superior to cri,

heaters heretofore proposed. v 1 v Furthermore, it is to be understoodfthat the particular .form of apparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth", are presented for purposes of eXplanationjandillustratio'n and that various modifications of said apparatus and procedure can a so rate said movable members to open: sai

be made without departing from my 'invention as defined in the appended claims.

WVhatI claim is:

1. Avulcanizing heater comprisinga plu-o of moldunits 'consisting of mold memo l'ality bers hingedlyconnected'to one another and to moldmembers'of adjacent units to fold into a" pack, meansfor'- separately heating each mold unit, relatively movable members connected to the endmost mold members, and means operable to separate said movable l 0 members toopen said molds, and operable in a reverse direction for closing said molds and or applying molding pressure to the pack of I to mold members of adjacentiunits to fold into a'pack, a steam chamber in a mold member of each vunit, and means: for

I supplying steam to'sai'd chambers.

. 4. A vulcanizing heater comprising a plul rality of mold units consisting of mold members hingedly connected to one another and to mold members of adjacent units to fold into a pack, the mold members of each unit having complemental annular recesses formv ing'mold chambers, steam chambers for supplying heat. to the mold chambers, and means ing steam passages in the mold members communicating with the steam chambers and connected through the hinges connecting, said members.

5. A vulcanizing heater comprisin apluralityofmold units each having two opposed sect onsprovided with recesses forming mold chambers, hinges connecting'the mold sections to fold into a pack, the hinges connect ing the-sections of the mold units and the hinges connecting sections of adj acent mold units being on oppo'site'sides of the mold sect ons, steam chambers in the mold sections, and means including steam passages through relatively movable members heater comprising a 'plu-v tions, steam chambers 'means including steam the hinges forsupplyingsteam to said steam chambers: 1' r 6. A vulcanizing heater comprising a plurality of mold units each having two opposed sections provided with recesses forming mold chambers, hinges connecting the mold sections tofold into a pack, the hinges connecting the sections of the mold units and the hinges connecting sections of ad acent mold.

sides ofthe mold sec:

units being on opposite tions, steainchainbers 11'1 the'mold sections,-

means including steam passages through the hinges for supplying chambers, land means for supplying fluid under'pre'ssure to the mold chambers includingpipes carried by mold sections and con steam to said steam.

nected by hinge joints coaxial with said hinges. 1

7. A vulcanizing heatercomprising a plurality of mold un ts each having two opposed sections provided with recesses forming mol chambers, hinges connecting the -mold sections to fold intoa'pack, the hinges connecting the sections of j hinges connecting the sections of adjacent mold units being on opposite sides of the mold sections, and separate means for locking the sections-of each mold unit in closed position.

8. A vulcanizing heater comprising a plurality of mold units each having two opposed sectionsprovided with recesses forming mold d chambers, hinges connecting the mold seethe hinges connect-- mold units and the a hinges connecting sections. of adjacent mold sides of the mold sec- 5 tions to fold into a, pack, ing the sections of the units being on opposite in the mold sections, passages through the hingesfor supplying steam to saidsteam chainbers, and "ndependently controlled meansffor supplying fluidunder pressure to each-mold chamber,

9. A vulcanizing rality of" mold units each having two opposed sections' provided with recesses 'form ing mold chambers,

torfold into apa'ck, the hinges hinges connecting the mold sect'ons connecting the sections of the "'m'old units, and thehinges' connecting sections of adjacent mold units being on opposite sides of the mold sections, and means opening and closing'the molds. j

10.v A i rality'of mold units sections provided with recesses forming mold chambers, hinges connecting'the mold sections to fold into a pack,the hinges connecting the sections of the mold units andthe h nges connecting sections of adjacent mold units being on opposite sides of the mold sec lllOl'lS,

ating member attached to theother end mold section for moving the same'toward and-from the stationary member,

a stationary member attached to one" of the end mold sections, a fluidpressureactu and means for selec5 the mold units and the a heater comprising a plus 1 157 for selectively i vulcanizing heatercomprising-a plu- 1 each having two opposed tively locking the sections of the individual mold units in closed position.

11. A vulcanizing heater comprising a sup porting platform, a fixed standard at one end of the platform, a head mounted at the opposite end of the platform for movement toward and away from the fixed standard, a mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said standard, a mold seotionconnected by a vertical hinge to said head, intermediate mold sections pivoted to the first mentioned mold sections and to each other by vertical hinges, said sections chambers, successive hinge connections being on opposite sides of said intermediate sections whereby said sections may be folded into a pack, and meansfor actuating said head to open and close the mold chambers.

12. A vulcanizing heater comprising a supporting platform, a fixed standard at one end of the platform, ahead mounted at the opposite end of the platform for movement toward and away from the fixed standard, a mold section connected by a verticalhinge to said standard, a mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said head, intermediate mold sections pivoted to the first mentioned mold sections and to each other by vertical hinges, said sections having recesses forming mold chambers, successive hinge connections being on opposite sides of said intermediate sections whereby said sections may be folded into a pack, means for actuating said head to open and close the mold chambers, and means for selectively locking adjacent mold sections against separation.

13. A vulcanizing heater comprising a supporting platform,'a fixed standard at one end of the platform, a head mounted at the opposite end of the platform for movement toward and away from the fixed standard, a mold. section connected by a vertical hinge to said standard, a mold section'connected by a vertical hinge to said head, intermediate mold sections pivoted to the first mentioned mold sections and to each other by vertical hinges, said sections having recesses forming mold chambers, successive hinge connections being on opposite sides of said intermediate sections whereby said sections may be folded into a pack, and

form. 1 V o 14. A vulcanizing heater comprising a supporting platform, a fixed standard at one end of the platform, a head mounted at the having recesses forming mold castor wheels supporting each mold section for movement on saidplatbeing on opposite sides of said intermediate sections whereby said sections may be folded Into a. pack, and a fluid pressure actuated member connected to said head for moving the same away from and toward the standard to open and close the mold and to apply pressure thereto. 1

Avulcanizing heater comprising'a supporting platform, a fixed standard at one end of the platform, a head mounted at the opposite end of the platform for movement toward and away from the fixed standard, a

mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said standard, a mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said head, intermediate mold sections pivotec to the first mentioned mold sections and to each other by vertical hinges, said sections having recesses forming mold chambers, successive hinge connections being on opposite sides of said intermediate sections whereby said sections maybe folded into a pack, means for separately heating the mold sections, means forselectivelylocking adjacent mold sections against separation, and means for selectively supplying fluid under pressureto the mold chambers.

16. A vulcanizing heater comprising astationary member, a member mounted for movement toward and away from the stationary member, and a pack of tire molds in-- terposed between said members, said pack consisting of hingedly connected mold sections, the endmost sections of the pack being connected to the stationary and movable members, each mold consisting of two hinged sections having complemental I annular recesses forming a moldchamber adapted to receive a pneumatic tire casing, independent ly operable means for locking each mold in closed position, means for separately heat ing themolds, and means for selectively supplying fluid under pressure to the interior of tire casings in the molds. V

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

HAROLD A. DENMIRE.

opposite end of the platform for movement 1 toward and away from the fixed standard, a mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said standard,- a mold section connected by a vertical hinge to said head, intermediate mold sections pivoted to the first mentioned mold sections and to each other by vertical hinges, said sections having recesses forming mold chambers, successive hinge connections 

